in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Course Schedule
Centre Location: Website | Map
** Unless noted otherwise, course instructions are given in the following language(s): English
Dhamma Torana (Auspicious Gateway of Dhamma) is aptly named. The nearest major city, Toronto has been recognized by the United Nations as the most diverse city in the world, with more cultures and religions represented there than anywhere else. The centre has over 140 acres of beautiful woods, open spaces and ravines. A variety of wildlife shares the land with the meditators. The surrounding countryside is mostly agricultural, but a number of small towns and the city of Barrie are nearby.
- Access the application form by clicking Apply for the desired course. Old students will be given the option to serve.
- Please carefully read the Introduction to the Technique and Code of Discipline which you will be asked to follow during your course.
- Fully and completely fill out all the sections of application form and submit it. An application is required to register for all courses.
- Await notification. All correspondence will be through e-mail if you give an e-mail address in your application. Due to the large volume of applications, it may take up to two weeks before receiving notification.
- If your application is accepted then we require you to confirm you will be attending in order to secure your place in the course.
Ontario Vipassana Centre -- Dhamma Torana
6486 Simcoe County Road 56
Egbert, Ontario, L0L 1N0, Canada
Email: [email protected]
Phone: [1](705) 434-9850
Fax: [1](866) 691-5214 (Toll-Free in North America)
Course Registration Notes:
- Course Registration opening dates are tentative and subject to change. Please check back regularly for the latest opening dates.
- Courses open for applications at approximately 6:00 a.m. EDT. If you do not see the 'Apply' Link at 6:00 am, close your browser and re-open the page.
- Courses may be cancelled or curtailed on short notice.
- All ten-day courses begin on the evening of the first day, continue for ten full days and end on the early morning of the last day.
- Please apply for no more than two 10-day courses at a time. If you are accepted into one course, your other one will be automatically cancelled.
- Please check your spam inbox if you have not received any correspondence from us after you have applied.
- Please include any information regarding serious food allergies or special mealtime considerations in your application so that volunteers can be prepared to serve you properly while you are on course.
Health Measures:
All persons who come to meditate or serve at the Centre must meet the following requirements:
- Please take a rapid test BEFORE you leave for the Centre (rapid tests are available free of charge at pharmacies) and show a negative COVID Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) result upon arrival.
- Please bring at least two (2) additional rapid tests as you will be required to test on days 3 and 6 of the course (additional information will be provided at Orientation on the day of your arrival).
- Face masks required at indoor public spaces. Masks may be removed while eating in the dining hall and once you're on your seat in the meditation hall.
- Other standard health and safety measures will remain in place.
Course Registration Notes:
- One-day Teens' courses are for ages 13-17
- One-day Children's courses are for ages 8-12
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 May | Children | Applications accepted starting 24 Mar | Egbert | Prefer servers who can serve both the Children's and Teen's course. If you want to serve both, then you may submit 1 application and mention a note in it. | |
| 28 May | Teen | Applications accepted starting 24 Mar | Egbert | Prefer servers who can serve both the Children's and Teen's course. If you want to serve both, then you may submit 1 application and mention a note in it. | |
| 16 Sep | Children | Applications accepted starting 14 Jul | Egbert | Prefer servers who can serve both the Children's and Teen's course. If you want to serve both, then you may submit 1 application and mention a note in it. | |
| 17 Sep | Teen | Applications accepted starting 14 Jul | Egbert | Prefer servers who can serve both the Children's and Teen's course. If you want to serve both, then you may submit 1 application and mention a note in it. |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | 02 Apr | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Wait List Servers - Wait List | Egbert |
New Course!!For old students One day course at OVC |
| Apply | 08 Apr | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | GTA West (Milton) |
For old students One Day Courses |
| Apply | 30 Apr | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Egbert |
New Course!!For old students One day course at OVC |
| 06 May | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 06 Apr | GTA West (Milton) |
For old students One Day Courses |
|
| 03 Jun | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 May | GTA East (Scarborough) |
For old students |
|
| 28 Jun - 02 Jul | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 30 Mar | Egbert |
For old students |
|
| 12 Aug | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 13 Jul | GTA East (Scarborough) |
For old students |
|
| 30 Aug - 03 Sep | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 01 Jun | Egbert |
For old students |
|
| 30 Sep | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 02 Jul | Egbert |
New Course!!For old students One day course at OVC |
|
| 25 Nov | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 26 Oct | GTA East (Scarborough) |
For old students |
|
| 20 Dec - 24 Dec | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 21 Sep | Egbert |
For old students |
Course Registration Notes:
- Course Registration opening dates are tentative and subject to change. Please check back regularly for the latest opening dates.
- Courses open for applications at approximately 6:00 a.m. EDT. If you do not see the 'Apply' Link at 6:00 am, close your browser and re-open the page.
- Courses may be cancelled or curtailed on short notice.
- All ten-day courses begin on the evening of the first day, continue for ten full days and end on the early morning of the last day.
- Please apply for no more than two 10-day courses at a time. If you are accepted into one course, your other one will be automatically cancelled.
- Please check your spam inbox if you have not received any correspondence from us after you have applied.
- Please include any information regarding serious food allergies or special mealtime considerations in your application so that volunteers can be prepared to serve you properly while you are on course.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | 19 Mar - 22 Mar | Service Period | In Progress | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
| Apply | 22 Mar - 02 Apr | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Short Wait List Male Server - Open | Egbert | |
| Apply | 02 Apr - 07 Apr | Work Period | Servers - Open | Egbert |
For old students Part-Time welcome. |
| Apply | 07 Apr - 16 Apr | Satipatthana Sutta | New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Wait List Servers - Wait List | Egbert |
For old students |
| Apply | 16 Apr - 19 Apr | Service Period | Servers - Open | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
| Apply | 19 Apr - 30 Apr | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Short Wait List Male Server - Open | Egbert | |
| Apply | 30 Apr - 05 May | Spring Work Period | Servers - Open | Egbert |
For old students Part-Time welcome. |
| Apply | 05 May - 26 May | 20-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Egbert |
For old students |
| Apply | 29 May - 31 May | Service Period | Servers - Open | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
| Apply | 31 May - 11 Jun |
10-Day
English / Vietnamese |
Closed | Egbert | Priority will be given to Vietnamese speaking students. |
| Apply | 11 Jun - 14 Jun | Service Period | Servers - Open | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
| Apply | 14 Jun - 25 Jun | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Open | Egbert | |
| 25 Jun - 28 Jun | Service Period | Applications accepted starting 27 Mar | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 02 Jul - 05 Jul | Service Period | Applications accepted starting 03 Apr | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 05 Jul - 16 Jul | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 06 Apr | Egbert | ||
| 16 Jul - 19 Jul | Service Period | Applications accepted starting 17 Apr | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 19 Jul - 30 Jul | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 20 Apr | Egbert | ||
| 30 Jul - 02 Aug | Service Period | Applications accepted starting 01 May | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 02 Aug - 13 Aug | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 May | Egbert | ||
| 13 Aug - 16 Aug | Service Period | Applications accepted starting 15 May | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 16 Aug - 27 Aug | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 18 May | Egbert | ||
| 27 Aug - 30 Aug | Service Period | Applications accepted starting 29 May | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 03 Sep - 06 Sep | Service Period | Applications accepted starting 05 Jun | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 06 Sep - 15 Sep | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting 08 Jun | Egbert |
For old students |
|
| 18 Sep - 20 Sep | Service Period | Applications accepted starting 20 Jun | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 19 Sep - 30 Sep | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 21 Jun | Egbert | ||
| 30 Sep - 05 Oct | Fall Work Period | Applications accepted starting 02 Jul | Egbert |
For old students Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 01 Oct | Open Day | Applications accepted starting 03 Jul | Egbert | ||
| 05 Oct - 05 Nov | 30-Day | Applications accepted starting 05 Apr | Egbert |
For old students |
|
| 05 Nov - 08 Nov | Service Period | Applications accepted starting 07 Aug | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 08 Nov - 19 Nov | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 10 Aug | Egbert | ||
| 19 Nov - 22 Nov | Service Period | Applications accepted starting 21 Aug | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 22 Nov - 03 Dec | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 24 Aug | Egbert | ||
| 03 Dec - 06 Dec | Service Period | Applications accepted starting 04 Sep | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 06 Dec - 17 Dec | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 07 Sep | Egbert | ||
| 17 Dec - 20 Dec | Service Period | Applications accepted starting 18 Sep | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 24 Dec - 27 Dec | Service Period | Applications accepted starting 25 Sep | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 27 December, 2023 - 07 January, 2024 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 28 Sep | Egbert |
The online application form encrypts your information before it is sent from your computer to our application server. However, it may not be totally secure even though encryption is used. If you are concerned about the possibility of security risks of your confidential information while it is on the Internet, do not use this form and instead download an application. Print and complete it. Then please send the form to the course organizers. By faxing or posting your application form it may delay the registration process by one to two weeks.
To access the Old Student Regional Site please click http://torana.dhamma.org/os. A user name and password will be required to access these pages.
Questions may be addressed to Email: [email protected]
All courses are run solely on a donation basis. All expenses are met by donations from those who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the same opportunity. Neither the Teacher nor the assistant teachers receive remuneration; they and those who serve the courses volunteer their time. Thus Vipassana is offered free from commercialisation.
Old students are those who have completed a 10-day Vipassana Meditation course with S.N. Goenka or his Assistant Teachers. Old students have the opportunity to provide Dhamma Service at the courses listed.
Bilingual courses are courses which are taught in two languages. All students will hear daily meditation instructions in both languages. The evening discourses will be heard separately.
Meditation courses are held at both center and non-center locations. Meditation centers are dedicated facilities where courses are held regularly throughout the year. Before meditation centers were established in this tradition, all courses were held at temporary sites, such as campgrounds, religious retreat centers, churches and the like. Today, in regions where centers have not yet been established by local students of Vipassana who live in the area, 10 Day meditation courses are held at non-center course sites.
10-day Courses are an introductory course to Vipassana Meditation where the technique is taught step-by-step each day. The courses begin after a 2 - 4 pm registration period and orientation, followed by 10 full days of meditation, and end the morning of the 11th day by 7:30 am.
20-day Courses are open only to serious Old Students committed to this technique who have completed a minimum of five 10-day courses , one Satipatthana Sutta course, given Dhamma Service at least one 10-day course, and have been practicing regularly for at least two years.
Applications must be submitted well in advance as processing may take some time. Students who speak neither English nor one of the other announced course languages may apply for the course, however acceptance into the course will depend on the availability of required course materials, suitable translators and permission of the teacher conducting the course.
30-day Courses are open only to serious Old Students committed to this technique who have completed a minimum of six 10-day courses (one since their first 20-day course), one 20-day course, one Satipatthana Sutta course, and have been practicing regularly for at least two years.
Applications must be submitted well in advance as processing may take some time. Students who speak neither English nor one of the other announced course languages may apply for the course, however acceptance into the course will depend on the availability of required course materials, suitable translators and permission of the teacher conducting the course.
Children's Courses are open for all children aged 8-12 years old who wish to learn to meditate. Their parents/guardians do not have to be meditators.
Open Days are held between meditation courses. All are welcome to attend and learn about Vipassana Meditation and the Centre.
Satipatthana Sutta Courses have the same timetable and discipline as 10-day courses. The difference is that in the taped evening discourses the Satipatthana Sutta is carefully examined. This is the principal text in which the technique of Vipassana is systematically explained. These courses are open to serious old students who have sat (not including courses served) at least three 10-day courses, have not been practising any other meditation techniques since last 10-day course, have been practising this technique of Vipassana for at least one year, and who are trying to maintain their meditation practice and the five precepts in their daily lives, at the very minimum from the time of applying to the course.
Work Periods have been set aside to work on a variety of Centre maintenance, construction, household and gardening projects. All Old Students are welcome to participate. The daily program will include three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. On selected evenings, there will be tapes played of special discourses and talks that S.N. Goenka has given to Old Students.
